Küng wins the Vuelta time trial in Jerez

Stefan Küng won stage 18 of La Vuelta 2026, a 32.1-kilometre individual time trial between El Puerto de Santa María and Jerez de la Frontera. The Tudor Pro Cycling Team rider set the fastest time of 35:22, beating Callum Thornley by three seconds and João Almeida by nine. Primož Roglič finished fourth at 19 seconds, one second ahead of Wout van Aert.

Küng built his victory through the second half of the fast course after Thornley had established the early benchmark. The Swiss rider, who returned to competition after suffering a serious femur fracture in February, secured his team's second victory of this Vuelta. The general classification contenders now face two consecutive mountain stages, beginning with Friday's 210-kilometre finish at Peñas Blancas.